Intel Bad Axe2 & System Performance

[Froid64]

I have recently upgraded my system several new components, including an Intel D975XBX2 mobo. I am not currently getting the performance that I expected from this change. Before the upgrade, I had an Asus P4P800 mobo, an Intel 2.8Ghz/800Mhz pentium (stock cooling), 1.5GB PC4400 DDR memory, ATi 9500pro 128MB, and Thermaltake 460 watt PS.

I finally bit the bullet and upgrade some components to the following:
- Intel D975XBX2 mobo
- Intel 6400 C2D with stock heatsink/fan
- BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE GeForce 7600GT 256MB DDR3
- CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800, 4-4-4-12, EPP

Overall, my system isn't WOWing me with improved performance. Here is what I am considering and I would like your opinion and priority.
1 - Upgrade PS to a Corsair 640 with current connectors
2 - Upgrade video, but to what? Something in the $200 range
3 - Double the RAM to 4GB

Please let me know. Overall, I do realize that the 7600GT video is not a screamer, but compared to my ATI 9500pro running on AGP slot, I figured that this 7600GT would be an improvement. Who knows, maybe that's not my performance problem.

Thoughts?

 

[imported_RedStar]

doubling ram will not do anything at this time...
Upgrading video card will make the largest difference.


we need some kind of idea what you current performance (app use..games, encoding..?)is and you could even throw in past performance(optional) numbers too.

 

[moosey]

Yeah, it'd be nice to know what aspect you're not being "WOWed" on. If its gaming, its obviously the video card. Otherwise, I'm not sure what your problems are.
You have the latest drivers? just as a starting point...
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts...nal/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2578

I don't know what upgrading a PSU is really going to do for performance. Are you running the old TT you had in the previous system? If so, I'd have gone to a new PSU for the new build simply because there are a lot better options than TT for a PSU. If you want Corsair, the 520W would be plenty for your setup...if you were going that way. They don't make a 640W as far as i know, only 620W.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

What performance areas are you looking to be wowed in?

9500 Pro -> 7600GT is a big upgrade. I've seen a guy go from a 9600 Pro to a 7600GS and I could see performance boosts without having to run benchmarks. I'm talking 640x480 with low-med settings in FEAR running ~20FPS vs 1024x768 with med-high at 35-40FPS.

P4 2.8 -> E6400 is another big upgrade. Encode a few video files to notice the difference?

 

[Beelziboss]

Also what OS are you running and did you verify it can see both cores?

 

[Froid64]

Thanks everyone...

Here is where I'm at now:
- I am still using the TT PS from the last build. I believe that I will take Moosey's advice and get a new PS. I am drawn to the new Corsair line and I was mistaken on the 640, it is a 620.
- I didn't run any benchmark tests to mark the performance of the new system. I will get this done to see actual performance instead of my gut feel. As of now, my gut and eye tell me that the system is not performing as fast I as I would expect. At this time I am not OCing.
- I don't do any major gaming, mostly video encoding. That is why I thought the 7600GT would be plenty and therefore saved some money over the higher end cards. I did notice that the picture quality isn't that sharp, so I have just downloaded the newest NVidia drivers and will be applying them soon.
- I am running Windows XP and have NOT verified that the system see's both cores. I will do this also.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts. I will report back after making these changes and running some bench mark tests.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Get an X1950Pro or a 7900GS, sell the 7600GT.

 

[Gh0stD0g]

Check your ram voltage in the BIOS. The board has a default ram voltage between 1.8 and 1.9v. Your ram might not be running at pc6400.

 

[Froid64]

UPDATE:

Processors: Windows XP is seeing both processors.

Performance: I downloaded and ran the PassMark PC Performance Test and it did show that the system is running quite fast. It scored: 674 overall. My old PC only hit in the lower 400's on this same test.

Memory: I did notice that my memory was rated at 4-4-4-12 and that I am only getting timings of 5-5-5-? Can't remember the last figure, but none the less, the voltage setting is probably to blame here. I will update the Bios memory settings so that I am getting PC6400 performance with at least 4-4-4-12 timings.

Video: I have to say that I am tempted to go purchase an ATI X1950pro card. I downloaded the latest Nvidia drivers for the 7 series cards. When I tried to install them, it gave me an error that my hardware didn't support these drivers. I will go back to the BFG website and check this out. I have the resolution set to 32 bit with 1024x768. Yet, the resolution quality isn't great. Pictures and larger text show grainy. Something not right here!

 

[moosey]

If you're tempted for the Radeon, might as well sell the GT. Between the price of the Radeon w/ any rebates and the money in from the GT, you're likely to only have to spend around $100 total and get a much better card.